Android Is Finally Opening Up to Rival App Stores, But There's a Catch

For years, Android users and developers have pushed back on the same complaint: Google says the platform is open, but in practice it funnels almost everyone through the Play Store and makes going anywhere else feel risky. That fight is about to produce its biggest change in years, though maybe not the wide-open Android that critics were hoping for.

Beginning July 22, Google will allow eligible third-party app stores to access the Play Store's app catalog through its new Play Catalog Access Program.^[1] The change comes after years of legal battles with Epic Games and is intended to comply with a U.S. court order requiring Google to open Android to more competition.

But "open" comes with heavy fine print. The rival stores will live inside Google Play, download through Google Play, and pay Google to be there. So before you go looking for a new place to get your apps, here's what Google is actually loosening, what it still controls, and what that means for your security.

Thanks for subscribing!

Please check your email for your first message.

Take back control of your privacy.

Join thousands who get our privacy-first newsletter every week. No spam. No nonsense.

Sign me up

By submitting this form you agree to receive emails from All About Cookies and to the privacy policy and terms.

Why Google is making the change

Google announced that qualifying third-party Android app stores in the United States will be able to access Play Store app listings starting July 22. Developers have also been notified that the app and game listings they've submitted to Google may be made available through participating third-party stores.

The change is the latest development in Google's long-running antitrust dispute with Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite. Epic argued that Google unfairly limited competition by steering users toward the Play Store and requiring developers to use Google's payment systems.

Underneath that was a complaint Android users have voiced for years: while Android technically allows sideloading, meaning installing apps from outside the Play Store, Google surrounds the process with warnings and friction that keep most people from ever trying it.

Here's the twist. The two companies had previously floated a "Registered App Stores" program that would have made it easier to install approved third-party stores through sideloading, a genuinely more open path. They withdrew that proposal on July 15 in favor of the Play Catalog Access Program, which keeps the new stores inside Google's walls instead.

"We've agreed with Epic to withdraw our motion to modify the U.S. Court's injunction rather than prolonging this process which creates uncertainty for the ecosystem," Google spokesperson Dan Jackson said.

Jackson added that the company will instead focus on delivering "greater app store choice, lower prices, and more opportunities for developers and users," while maintaining security protections.

The result is more choice than Android users had before, but it's not the open marketplace critics were fighting for.

How third-party app stores will work

Unlike Google's earlier proposal, eligible third-party app stores will be available for download directly through Google Play rather than requiring users to sideload them manually.

The stores won't operate without restrictions, however.

Every app download still completes through Google Play, and Google's existing service fees still apply, even to apps you find in a competing store. To get in, a store must pass Google's onboarding and security review and pay a $5,000 upfront fee, then $5,000 every year to keep access to the catalog. Stores also have to keep malware below 1% of install attempts, measured on a rolling 30-day basis across devices worldwide, or risk losing access. And the program is U.S.-only, so stores can't use the Play catalog to distribute apps internationally.

The broader Epic settlement does loosen Google's grip on payments. Developers can now offer alternative payment methods or send users to their own websites to buy, and Google's commission on eligible purchases drops from 30% to as low as 10%.

Put together, it's a real shift in who can reach Android users, wrapped in a system Google still gatekeeps and profits from.

Is it safe to use third-party app stores?

Google says participating app stores will be subject to security requirements before gaining access to the Play catalog, and app downloads will still pass through Google Play rather than bypassing it entirely.

Even so, you should only download apps from marketplaces you know and trust.

While reputable third-party stores can offer legitimate alternatives to the Play Store, malicious app marketplaces have historically been used to distribute fake apps, spyware, and malware disguised as popular software.

Before installing apps from any marketplace, it's a good idea to:

• Use well-known and reputable app stores.
• Verify the developer's name before downloading an app.
• Read reviews and look for signs that an app may be fraudulent.
• Review the permissions an app requests and avoid granting unnecessary access.
• Keep Google Play Protect enabled to help scan apps for known security threats.

What this means for Android users

For most Android users, the Play Store will likely remain the easiest and most familiar place to download apps.

However, Google's new program gives consumers additional options while making it easier for competing app stores to reach Android users without relying on sideloading.

That increased competition could eventually lead to lower prices, alternative payment options and more flexibility for developers.

At the same time, having more choices means users will need to pay closer attention to where they're downloading apps from. Even with Google's review process in place, choosing a trusted app marketplace remains one of the most effective ways to protect your privacy and security.

Protect Every Aspect of Your Digital Life — Even Your Time

4.7

AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Editorial Rating

See Price

On TotalAV's website

2026 Editors’ Choice

Best Antivirus for Safe Browsing

Antivirus Software

TotalAV

• An antivirus that scores 18/18 on AV-TEST for Windows and macOS, with top marks across all test categories
• Passed every malware and drive-by download test we ran, quarantining threats automatically
• Includes a junk cleaner, app uninstaller, and browser cleaner to keep your device running smoothly alongside the antivirus

Author Details

Thomas Kent

About the Author

Thomas Kent is a multi-disciplined reporter with over a decade of experience covering online platforms, digital trends, and consumer-facing tech. Tom focuses on digital privacy, data tracking, and user behavior, with a particular interest in how cookies, online surveillance, and platform design shape the modern internet experience. His reporting takes a research-driven, news-focused approach, translating complex technical topics into clear, accessible insights.